NORTHERN CANCER PATIENTS LEFT IN THE DARK

MACMILLAN Cancer Support hosting drop, in sessions across Boots stores in the North of England during Cancertalk Week that runs over 15 February to 22 February 2011.  People in the North affected by cancer are too often unhappy with the level of support and information available to them according to new YouGov research on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support released today to support Cancertalk Week with partner Boots UK.

Macmillan knows that people with cancer desperately need more information on various aspects of their illness. The research found:-

► The majority people living with cancer in the North of England (57%) said they wanted information on the long-term impact of cancer treatment on their health, but only 27 % felt they received it

►  More information on how to cope with the emotional impact of their diagnosis or treatment is also wanted (56%), yet only 17% felt they received it

►  61% of people living with cancer in the North of England also said that they would have found it helpful to talk to other people affected by the disease at the time they were diagnosed.

In response to the findings, and as part of their long term partnership, Macmillan Cancer Support and Boots UK are encouraging people to get the support and information they need by hosting drop in Cancer Information Sessions at local branches of Boots during Cancertalk Week. During the sessions, Cancer Information Specialists from Macmillan will be on hand to provide personalised information to people affected by cancer. These sessions form part of a wider approach to test how the partnership can best support people affected by cancer in their local communities.

Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, says:-  “1 in 3 of us will be diagnosed by cancer at some stage of our lives, and with 2 million people now living with a cancer diagnosis in the UK, most of us are affected in some way by the disease. But talking honestly about cancer is hard. People can be scared of what it involves and are too often left without good information to help them through their cancer. Cancer information and support makes a real difference to a patient’s quality of life helping to improve their physical and mental health, their financial situation and their ability to live with cancer. By bringing Cancertalk Week to the high streets in the North via Boots UK, we’re providing an easily accessible community resource to reach people who need it.”

Through their long term partnership, Macmillan Cancer Support and Boots UK aim to help provide the two million people living with cancer in the UK and their families and friends, access to the information and support they need. Recent research told us that the majority of people living with cancer in the North of England (over 70%) wanted to receive information both face to face and in printed form. As a result we are providing a combination of drop in sessions with Cancer Information Specialists during Cancertalk Week and printed information, including Questions About Cancer leaflets readily available across close to 2500 Boots UK stores, will mean that people can access Macmillan’s support on the high street and in local communities.

Karl Crane, Director of Pharmacy and Retail at Boots UK, comments:- “Not everyone affected by cancer realises the extent of the support available from Macmillan Cancer Support. As the UK’s leading pharmacy led health and beauty retailer and through our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support we’re aiming to make people more aware of the ways we can help. We hope that through Cancertalk Week activities in store, customers will feel able to talk about cancer and receive a valuable support service.”

The research also found that 47% of adults living with cancer in the North like to receive information and support online while 20% would like to speak to someone on the phone. For these people, or for those unable to visit a participating Boots UK store, information and support can be found at:- boots.com/macmillan, along with a list of participating stores, or by calling the Macmillan Support Line:– 0808 808 0000.

Russian students’ voices concerning St. Valentine’s Day ban in Belgorod - Finally Cupid has been shot down.
Report by Dariya IbrayevaK

SOME Russian, speaking students in the North of England welcomed the decision about the ban of St Valentine’s Day in Belgorod.  Authorities in the Belgorod Region of Southern Russia have cancelled public celebrations of “the day of love” because it goes against Russian cultural traditions and negatively influences young people. Most Russian students from Preston, in the North of England, show solidarity with the local governor and think that St. Valentine’s Day is an unhealthy foreign phenomenon which has nothing to do with Russian traditions.

“St. Valentine’s Day is artificially created entertainment for people who don’t have genuine emotions in their everyday life”, said Tatjana Kurilova, 20, a Russian-speaking student from Estonia. “Russia has strongly highlighted traditions which should be maintained throughout the decades.” Tatjana thinks that Russia should preserve its own traditions and shouldn’t encourage the spread of Western culture.

Konstantinos Tataridis, 27, a Russian – speaking student, who originally comes from Greece said:- “I think St Valentine’s Day is useless. If you are in love with someone, you don’t need any specific day to show your feelings. Love should be
observed 365 days a year, not just one.”

Konstantinos considers that St Valentine’s Day can be really depressive, because it puts extra pressure on people, who are single or disappointed in love and also thinks that this day was created to benefit commercial organisations. “Generally speaking, flower and gift shops’ owners can make a good profit in St Valentine’s day.” said Konstantinos.

Anatoliy Shatenevsky, 21, a Russian student from Estonia thinks that the factual value of Valentine’s day is a shame to celebrate and most people don’t even know the history of that holiday anyway.  “This day has no historical point or value; therefore I justify wiping this holiday off and replacing it with a day that will underline national values and belongings. Being Russian, I would rather see more Russian cultural celebrations, which commemorate our traditions, history, glory and achievements than some foreign western celebrations that don’t have anything in common with Russian Culture.” said Anatoliy.

“Actually, why it is Valentine’s day? Nothing is known, except his name and the date of death – 14 February. So, basically, we celebrate the day of Valentine’s death. I am not against this celebration, but I think, we should just rename it and connect with any character from Russian culture. For example, why we couldn’t call it St. Tatjana’s Day?” said Tatjana Petrova, 20, a Russian-speaking student from Latvia as she laughed.

However, not everyone agrees with authorities in Belgorod. Some students think that outlawing the holiday is just plain silly.

“It's nice to have a day that honours love. You can’t be critical of a day when women get chocolates and it's sad that Belgorod wants to deny that happiness to their women.” said Maria Grigorieva, 22, a graduate student, who originally comes from Moscow.

Santa Kozlova, 19, student from Latvia said:- “In my opinion, it is pointless to ban St. Valentine’s Day. People have celebrated this occasion for many years and I think it’s a good reason to remind your beloveds that you care about them.”

A similar situation is happening in the Middle East. Iran has banned the production of Valentine's Day gifts in an effort to combat the spread of Western culture. Although the holiday itself has not officially been banned, Iranian media reported that gifts, such as cards and boxes with symbols of hearts or red roses were covered under the ban.

Does it mean that some countries are afraid of popularisation of Western Culture?

Are they worried that one day Westernnonsense celebrations will displace cultural and national festivities?

Time will show, but the good point is that Russian-speaking students are still concerned about the future of Russia and don’t want to exchange the Great Russian cultural for alien Western ones.   So what are your views on Valentine’s day? Email us your thoughts to:- news24@southportreporter.com.